I CAN'T ABANDON JONATHAN NOW – MARK
President of the Senate, Senator David Mark during the weekend said he has examined the options ahead of the 2011 general elections and resolved that Presient Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo ticket remains the best option for the nation.
Senator Mark stated this when he led members of the Alumni Association of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Regular Course 3 on a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State. He said that the duo possess the right character, integrity and intelligence to lead Nigeria out of the woods.
He urged Nigerians to invest their votes on Jonathan/Sambo ticket in order to be able to actualize their vision and programmes to uplift Nigeria from economic doldrum as enunciated in the manifesto. Senator Mark maintained that the National Assembly has put necessary measures through the Electoral Act 2010 to guarrantee free, fair and credible elections in 2011.
Besides, the President of the Senate stated that under the new Electoral Act 2010, a level playing field has been provided for all candidates believing that the outcome of the polls would meet the yearnings and aspirations of all stakeholders as well as the international community.
On his colleagues, (NDA Course 3) Mark recalled their unquatifiable services and commitment to Nigeria nationhood, saying, 'In or out of government, we have continued to serve our fatherland creditably and we will continue to do so in the years ahead because this is our country and we have no other to call our own.'
Earlier in the day, the Senate President was confered with the chieftaincy title of 'Dan-Isah' of Lokoja (meaning the Special Adviser to the Emirate Council of Lokoja) by the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Moh'd Kabir Maikarfi III.
During the ceremony, Senator Mark in response to the request by the monarch to intervene in the abandoned dredging of River Niger, dualisation of Abuja-Lokoja road and resucitation of the Lokoja Port assured that government would give priority attention to the projects and see to their completion.
The President of the Senate was optimistic that President Goodluck Jonathan as a listening leader would not see the suffering of the people and look the other way. The Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Moh'd Kabir Maikarfi III had listed the problems in the area to include the abandoned dualisation of Lokoja-Abuja road, Lokoja Port and the stoppage of work on the dredging of River Niger.
In his remarks, Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State said he was proud to be associated with the Alumni Association of NDA Course 3 which has produced eminent Nigerians including the Senate President, former Chief of General Staff, Mike Akihigbe, two former Chiefs of Army Staff, General Alwali Kazir, Victor Malu, Admiral Festus Porbeni, Senator Tunde Ogbeha among others.
Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State who was the Special Guest of Honour said the association which continued to exist even after 40 years of their graduation is one that should be emulated by all.